This is the official discussion thread for Denison University Class of 2030 applicants. Ask your questions and connect with fellow applicants.
My son was checking his Denison portal this morning and noticed an optional “Why Denison?” essay! He doesn’t remember seeing it before and is wondering when it is due - if by chance he completely missed the deadline - and how long it’s supposed to be?
I checked on last year’s Class of 2029 thread and saw a Feb 1 deadline and a 200 word limit and am wondering if it may be the same this year. Is this (“optional” essay) something new that they just posted or has it been there and my son just missed it?
It’s not new. Your child should have gotten an email about it I believe, but maybe it went to their spam folder. I would recommend contacting admissions to check the deadline. Denison considers demonstrated interest. Most colleges like students that like them back. My D did the optional essay and optional interview a few years ago and was admitted with good merit aid. I think it’s a wonderful college, although my D ended up choosing a larger one.
Thank you. I will let my son know to reach out. He did the interview in person and a campus visit as well.
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This is something Denison throws at kids every year AFTER they have submitted their application. Your son did not see it when he filled out his application because it wasn’t there, and Denison states on their admissions page that they don’t have any supplementals. But then they add this in January to gauge interest. There’s a thread somewhere about colleges that hide supplementals, and Denison is on there. Kids that know about it from their college counselors don’t mind, but it’s really unfair to kids who don’t know it’s coming and think they’re done with the application process.
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so I am an applicant of ED @ class of 2030…the results are supposed to be out by now…but I have not received anything…any update…plz let me know…right now in a desperate state.
I too an applicant but didn’t receive any mail of WHY DENISON ? Am I automatically rejected !!
From what my son has told me, the Why Denison essay is optional. If Denison is truly a top choice, I would submit one.
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ED applicants typically do not get the “why me” Denison essay.
Any clue to when Denison releases RD decisions?
Email just received saying afternoon Thursday March 12 for RD decisions in portal.
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Decisions are out in the portal.
Accepted with very robust scholarship! 19K COA (we have need based aid and merit). We were not expecting that!
ETA:
3.79 UW GPA/4.59 weighted GPA
Test optional
DID answer the extra essay question
800 hours research, many poster awards, 300 hours volunteering
(Financial Need)
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Accepted. No interview and did not do the optional essay in portal. $30k alumni award. COA is higher than other offers so most likely not a viable option.
Offered to cover costs to go to admitted visit event. COA $25k.
S26 accepted with $32,500 merit plus grant. Did not do the extra essay question, but he did do the interview. COA brings it close to in-state COA for us!
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Denison RD Class of 2030 Results Survey:
This form is for tracking decision results, so it’s all centralized for future students. If you could fill this out once you get your decision, that would be very appreciated!
You can see all other people’s individual responses in the links above, along with overall form statistics (such as what percent got accepted).
My son was waitlisted. I noticed that in the letter it said that he was being put “at the top of the waitlist”. I assume that is a figurative expression, and that they tell everyone that. (But it does seem weird if they tell everyone that, right?) Everything I found said that their list is not ranked.
I’m kind of disappointed. I feel like his standardized scores would put him in the 90+ percentile at Denison. He is does not have all of the resume features that one might often look for but he has a unique story and as I said, is strong academically.
I feel a little bit bad because I kind of suggested to him that he was a good candidate for some more selective schools, and he took that to heart and applied to some.
I have a current sophomore so I would be happy to answer any questions.